McCartney's fears over real fur sales

A BBC documentary found that as there is no legal requirement to label fur garments, some people may not know what they are buying.

In the programme, which will be broadcast tonight, the couple continue to fight to curb the market for fur products.

They have been outspoken in their criticism of high-profile celebrities who wear fur, and campaign vigorously against the trade in dog and cat fur.

Sir Paul admits he wore fur when a member of The Beatles, but says he did not realise what he was doing.

He says: "Like most people we didn't realise when you wore a fur jacket, as John did on the concert tour on the roof of Apple, or as I did in the film Help... you didn't realise what you were doing by wearing fur."

Protests

His wife, Heather Mills McCartney, is followed as she protests at fashion stores, including Jennifer Lopez's Sweetface label in New York.

Speaking about celebrity fur-wearers, she says: "If I ever bumped into Cindy Crawford, Linda Evangelista or Jennifer Lopez, you know, there is no way I would be gentle with them because they've been informed time and time again."

The programme looks at the £7bn global fur industry and talks with fur traders, clients and a stylist.

It follows Heather to a Peta (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) gala in the United States, and to Brussels, where she appeals for a European ban on cat and dog fur.

Heather is the face of a Peta anti-fur advertisement campaign which carries the slogan: "If you wouldn't wear your dog, please don't wear any fur."

Last month the couple flew to Canada to protest ahead of the annual slaughter of young harp seal pups.

In 2005 Sir Paul vowed never to perform in China again after seeing secretly-shot footage of dogs and cats being killed for their fur.

Real Story: McCartneys versus fur, will be broadcast on BBC1 tonight at 9pm.